A Malian court has sentenced former Prime Minister Moussa Mara to two years in prison; one year to be served and one year suspended, after finding him guilty of “undermining the credibility of the state” and “opposing legitimate authority.”
The verdict, issued Monday by the High Court of Commune IV in Bamako, comes after months of legal proceedings sparked by Mara’s critical social media posts.
Mara, who served as prime minister under the late President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta between 2014 and 2015, was arrested on August 1, 2025, following comments he shared on the social network X (formerly Twitter) in which he expressed support for detained political and civil society figures.
The prosecution argued that his statements discredited state institutions and amounted to a challenge to the current authorities. His legal team, led by prominent lawyer Mountaga Tall, had repeatedly sought provisional release – requests that were denied throughout the investigation.
The court’s ruling aligns with the prosecution’s earlier recommendation of a two-year sentence. Mali, which has been under military rule since the 2020 coup, continues to face criticism from rights groups over shrinking civic space and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Mara’s defense has indicated plans to appeal the decision within the legal timeframe allowed.
